The Van Hagar era had its moments. The 1986 album 5150 was pretty good, and OU812 definitely didn't suck. But by the time For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge came out in '91 and that sappy single "Right Now" flooded the airwaves, you couldn't help but crave the irreverent shenanigans of Diamond Dave. Van Halen teased us with the idea of returning its original frontman to the band and then dropped a massive stink bomb by enlisting former Extreme vocalist Gary Cherone, the hack best known for crooning that criminally awful power ballad "More Than Words." Finally, after a more than two-decade wait, Van Halen came to its senses and reunited with Roth. Granted, the zany showman's midair splits probably won't be what they were in '84, but the return of the original Van Halen is still most welcome. Even if it did mean founding member Michael Anthony got the shaft so that Eddie's 16-year-old son Wolfie could take over on bass. Bob Marley scion Ky-Mani Marley opens. His latest album, Radio, eschews roots-reggae for contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Read the interview with Marley on p. XX. Van Halen w/Ky-Mani Marley, 7 p.m., Mon., Feb. 18, St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, $49.50, $79.50, $149.50.
This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2008.